Lever-locking device



J. A. GRAHAM.

LEVER LOCKING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED APR.2I,}19ZO.

Patented Apr. 19, 1921.,

UNITED STATES PTENT' OFFICE.-

JOSEPH A. GRAHAM, or ALLEMAN, rowA.

LEVER-LOCKING- DEVICE.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH A. GRAHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alleman, in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lever-Locking Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pivotedlevers used in connection with machinery, and more particularly to the spring-controlled pedal levers used in connection with the clutches or brakes of motor cars; and 1t consists in the novel construction and combination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed whereby the lever is locked at will in a preferred position.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of a lever provided with a locking device according to this invention. Fig. 2 is a detail front view of the locking device.

In certain makes of motor cars, and in other machines, a pedal lever 3 is provided; This pedal lever has a pivot 4, and a foot plate 5 at one end, and 6 is a spring whlch moves the lever pivotally in one direction and normally raises the foot plate. This lever has a concave curved front portion 7 in order to clear certain parts of the car or other machine, and a support 8 for the lever is shown, which may represent any stationary frame or part of the car or other machine.

In order to lock the lever 3 when depressed, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, a hand lever 10 is pivoted by a pin 12 to the support 8, and this hand lever has a curved shoe 14 at its lower end. This curved shoe has a groove 15 in its curved face, which fits over the upper curved edge of the foot lever.

The pivot 12 of the hand lever is arranged below and in front of the pivot 4: of thefoot lever, and the upper part 16 of the hand lever is inclined forwardly of its lower part when the lower part is vertical, so that the Specification of Letters Patent.

shoe is held lightly against the foot lever as shown by dotted lines in Fig.1. When the lever 8 is depressed the shoe slides along it, and a slight downward pressure ofv one hand on the pro ectlng upper end portion of the Patented Apr. 19, 1921., implication filed April 21, 1920. Serial No. 375,441.

hand lever presses the shoe into frictional engagement with the foot lever and locks the foot lever in its lower position. 7

This locking device is specially useful to hold out the clutch on a motor car when belt driven machinery driven by the motor is to be stoppedwith-out stopping the engine, or to be used any time when wishing .to hold the clutch released without holding down the foot lever with the foot.

What I claim is: g

1. The combination, with a pivoted lever provided with a curved end portion, and automatic means for raising the said curved end portion, of a locking lever pivoted overthe curved end portion of the first said lever in front of and below its pivot, said locking lever having a shoe at its lower end which is slidable on the said curved end portion and which is adapted to be pressed into frictional locking contact with it.

2. The combination, with a pivoted lever provided with a curved end-portion, and automatic means for raising the said curved end portion, of a locking lever pivoted over the curved end portion of the first said lever in front of and below its pivot, said locking lever having a shoe at its lower end which is slidable on the said curved end portion and which is adapted to be pressed into frictional locking contact with it, and said looking lever having an upper end portion arranged at an angle to its lower portion and which projects forwardly of its pivot and normally holds the shoe lightly pressing against the said curved portion.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

JOSEPH A. GRAHAM. 

